Tanzania leads East Africa in tackling health emergencies
@TC.caption:Prime Minister Kasimu Majaliwa (centre) cuts the ribbon signifying the launch of the Tanzania Preparedness Report in response to Health Emergencies and Disasters in Dar es Salaam yesterday. On the left is minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office - Policy, Parliament and Coordination William Lukuvi and outgoing World Health Organisation director Rebecca Moeti (right). PHOTO | SUNDAY GEORGE
What you need to know:
- Tanzania’s progress demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding public health and positioning itself as a regional leader in disaster preparedness and response.
Dar es Salaam. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised Tanzania as the leading country in East Africa in managing health emergencies and disasters.
This commendation comes as Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa emphasised the importance of strengthening control systems to address emerging challenges.
Speaking at a joint meeting of health ministers and senior WHO officials, Mr Majaliwa said that Tanzania remains committed to enhancing its capacity to manage health crises effectively.
He directed health-related institutions to conduct regular assessments of disaster and outbreak indicators to facilitate timely interventions.
“Tanzania has made significant strides in managing health emergencies despite minor challenges, such as limited human resources. We are proud of the systems in place, but more needs to be done, especially in public education and disaster preparedness,” Mr Majaliwa stated.
WHO Africa Regional Director, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, said Tanzania’s successful response to health emergencies, citing the management of Covid-9 and Marburg virus outbreaks as exemplary.
“Tanzania has demonstrated exceptional performance in East Africa despite challenges like resource constraints. This success is a model for other countries in the region,” Dr Moeti remarked.
Mr Majaliwa outlined several measures to bolster Tanzania’s preparedness for health emergencies, including strengthening research institutions to improve pathogen detection capabilities; ensuring all health facilities are equipped to handle emergencies; developing specific strategies and budgets for disaster response; and raising public awareness about health emergencies and disasters.
“It’s not enough to have robust systems within the government; empowering the public with knowledge is critical for achieving positive outcomes,” he said.
Despite Tanzania’s progress, WHO’s head of Emergency Unit, Dr Erasto Silvanus, pointed out lingering challenges.
These include shortages of healthcare personnel in both public and private sectors; lack of a national plan for recruiting human resources during emergencies and limited availability of emergency medical teams for rapid deployment.
Health minister Jennista Mhagama reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing these challenges, aligning with WHO guidelines to strengthen the health sector.
“Our priority is to ensure Tanzanians remain safe from outbreaks and disasters. We’ve faced crises like Marburg virus outbreaks, floods, and landslides, but our collaborative efforts have proven effective,” Ms Mhagama said.
She also noted that by December, all health systems will be aligned with directives from the country’s leadership to ensure preparedness.
The meeting aligns with the 73rd World Health Assembly resolution from 2020, which calls for member states to conduct participatory reviews on universal health coverage and readiness for health emergencies.
Tanzania’s progress demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding public health and positioning itself as a regional leader in disaster preparedness and response.
